Heel protector



June 20, 1961 F. B. ZACKS HEEL PROTECTOR Filed Dec. 15, 1958 m T m V m ATTORNEYS United States Patent Ohio Filed Dec. 15, 1958, Ser. No. 780,312 2 Claims. (Cl. 36-72) This invention relates to an accessory for automobiles adapted to be suspended in a convenient position adjacent the drivers seat and embodying in its construction a heel guard adapted to protect the heels of shoes of women drivers.

There have been many prior provisions of such heel protectors and there have been a great number of different materials used in their construction, from metal and hard fiber to leather and fabric; however, no special and convenient means for stowing the protectors when not in use has been suggested.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved accessory of this character which incorporates certain advantageous features of construction which enhance the utility of the device as a protector of heels of shoes against abrasion and scufling in the operation of the brake and accelerator pedals, and which also possesses properties which cooperate to provide convenient and efiective means for stowing the heel protector when not in use.

The invention in its preferred embodiment contemplates the provision of a pocket-like or scoop-like heel protector constructed of different fabrics in its various parts. The rearward or major portion of the member is made of a durable close-woven fabric preferably in laminated form, the inner and outer layers being of cloth and an intermediate lamination of foam rubber or equivalent foam plastic material which not only strengthens the fabric but stilfens it to a slight degree, adding somewhat increased bulk which has a function which will be presently described. The side portions of the device are made of softer, more flexible fabric such as terry cloth in one embodiment, and an elastic mesh material in another embodiment.

The other important element of the structure comprises a substantially rectangular fabric envelope closed along three of its margins but open along the fourth, the envelope adapted to be suspended in inverted position with the open mouth downward. This envelope or bag element is preferably made of an ornamental fabric lined with a relatively thin layer of foam rubber or equivalent foam plastic material for the purpose of increasing the friction between the heel protector itself and the inner walls of the envelope when the protector is folded or wadded and stuffed into the envelope.

The protector element is thus not only securely retained in position for use when needed, but is very readily removed therefrom by a mere downward pull on the protector elements, portions of which may be allowed to protrude through the mouth of the bag or envelope.

Other objects and features of novelty will be apparent from the following specification when read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which certain embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic view in verti cal longitudinal section through the dash portion of an automobile, one foot of the driver and an applied heel protector element as well as the receptacle therefor being shown in elevation;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view showing one form of the heel protector proper;

FIGURE 3 is a view in rear elevation of a fragmen- Patented June 20, 196i tary portion of the dash of the automobile and showing the suspended accessory; I

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 on a somewhat enlarged scale and illustrating a modified form of the device applicable to high heel shoes;

FIGURE 6 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 66 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a view in perspective of the protector device illustrated in FIGURES 5 and 6; and s FIGURE 8 is a further modification of the devic adapted for use in connection with the low heel shoes as in the case of the one illustrated in FIGURES 1-4 inclusive. I

Referring now to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, the numeral 10 is applied to the sloping front floorboard of an automobile, the numeral 11 to the dash, and the numeral 12 to the instrument panel. The accelerator pedal is shown at 15 with the connecting mechanism 16 extending through the floor panel 10. The foot of a woman driver is encased in a low heel walking shoe indicated at 20 and the heel portion of the shoe is encased in a heel protector of novel construction provided by the present invention which is indicated in its entirety by the numeral 25. This embodiment of the heel protector is also denoted by the same reference numeral in FIGUREZ.

In this particular embodiment of the invention the rear panel portion of the protector indicated at 27 is of laminated construction having an outer layer of fabric 28 which should be of durable and preferably ornamented construction and manufacture, and an inner fabric layer 29 which may be of plain material. Between these layers is cemented a thin layer of foam rubber or foam plastic material 30. A side and bottom panel of the protector 25 is shown at 32 and comprises an area of elastic webbing which, as disclosed in FIGURE 1 of the drawings, underlies the heel of the shoe and extends up the sides of the heel portion of the upper. The portion 32 is sewn to the portion 27 along the seam. 33.

The outer marginal portions of both of the areas 27 and 32 are gathered and a marginal tape 34 is secured along the edges of the portion 32 while a similar tape 35 is stitched along the marginal portions of the area 27, the tape 35 being preferably extended as at 36 and 37 to provide securing means for the device, the tapes 36 and 37 being tied together as at 39 in FIGURE 1. The tapes are preferably made of elastic material to aid in snapping the protectors onto the heels and retaining them snugly in place.

For suspending the heel protector element 25 in readily accessible position when not in use, a bag or envelope indicated generally at 40 is provided. The bag is formed of two panels of material 41 which are stitched and taped along three margins as at 42, and the lower side of the device 40 is open, the margins of the opening being taped as at 43 around the mouth thereof.

A loop 45 is secured as at '46 at the central portion of the upper side of the envelope and this loop may be supported from beneath the instrument panel 12 by any suitable means such as the hook 48. The envelope 40 is also laminated and consists of the outer fabric layer 50 and the inner sponge rubber or sponge plastic material 51, both laminations being embraced by the marginal tapes 43 and sewed as at 52, this being clearly shown in FIGURE 4 of the drawings.

When removed from the shoe, the protector 25 is folded and wadded together as clearly shown in FIGURES 3 and 4 of the drawings and stufled into the open mouth of the envelope =40. The bulk of the protector and the friction provided by the foam lining 51 of the envelope effectively prevent the protectors from falling from the envelope, but the protruding portions of the protector may be readily grasped for removal when the protector is needed.

In the embodiment shown in FIGURES 5, 6 and 7 of the drawings, the driver of the car is wearing a dress shoe 60 having a high heel 62, the shoe and foot resting upon the accelerator pedal in the normal position for driving. In this embodiment the protector proper is considerably elongated and narrowed to conform to the high heel 62 and the construction is broadly the same as in the previously described embodiment, the rear panel portion 27a being of laminated construction as previously described and sewed along the seam 33a to the lower and side panel portion 32a of the device. The lower portions of the panel 32a are sewed together as at 32b to form a deep well-defined pocket for the lower portion of the heel. The open portion of the panel 32a is provided with the marginal tapes 34a and the rear panel 27a is provided with the tape 35a from which extend the tying tape or laces 36a and 37a.

In the modification shown in FIGURES 5, 6 and 7 of the drawings, the panel portion 32a is made of terry cloth which afifords suflicient softness, flexibility, and slight elasticity suitable for the purpose.

In FIGURE 8 of the drawings, there is illustrated a protector for low heel shoes similar to the one shown in FIGURE 2, in which the rear panel 27b is very similar to the one shown in FIGURE 27 and is provided with taped edges 35b which terminate in the tying laces 36b and 37b. The forward and bottom panel 32b, however, is formed of terry cloth as in the embodiment of FIGURE 7 but is conformed to the low heel type of shoe. The same marginal tape portion 34b is also provided around this area.

It is understood that various changes and modifications may be made in the embodiment illustrated and described herein without departing from the scope of the invention as determined by the following claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A heel protector device for motorists or the like comprising a heel cover member adapted to receive the heel and the rear portion of the upper of the shoe, fastening tapes secured to the upper forward sideportions of the member and adapted to be tied over the instep of the wearer, the heel cover member comprising a rearwardly disposed relatively stifl fabric panel extending forwardly on each side of the member about half the extent of the heel, the remainder of the side portions and the front portion of the member comprising a panel of elastic webbing material.

2. A heel protector device for motorists or the like comprising a heel cover member adapted to receive the heel and the rear portion of the upper of the shoe, fastem'ng tapes secured to the upper forward side portion of the member and adapted to be tied over the instep of the wearer, the heel cover member comprising a rearwardly disposed relatively stiff fabric panel extending forwardly on each side of the member about half the extent of the heel, said panel comprising inner and outer layers of fabric and an intermediate thin layer of foam rubber, the remainder of the side portions and the front portion of the member comprising a panel of thinner and more flexible material.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,820,679 Sawyer Aug. 25, 1931 1,945,420 Charles Jan. 30, 1934 2,763,938 Kays et al Sept. 25, 1956 2,894,339 Shapiro July 14, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 521,538 Great Britain May 23, 1940 620,851 France Jan. 25, 1927 

